How NRL, South Sydney and North Sydney Bears honoured Kyle Turner

NRL chair Peter V’landys says the game will support Kyle Turner’s family as rugby league paused to honour the passing of the South Sydney premiership winner.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

Grieving South Sydney Rabbitohs travelled to Newcastle on Sunday to play for a fallen mate.

They were there for Kyle Turner as much as they were for the two competition points.

The players wore black armbands.

Trainer John Sutton, who captained the Rabbitohs’ 2014 side, brought Turner’s old No.15 jersey out from the sheds.

It was placed neatly on the interchange bench, retired for the day, in honour of Turner, who passed away in his hometown of Coonabarabran on Friday.

His death has rocked the rugby league world, not just Souths.

Peter V’landys has offered the NRL’s support to his grieving family.

“We’re extremely saddened and shocked,” he said

“We will be there for the family and any support they need.”

Kyle Turner tragically passed away. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Turner, 31, was a father of three and a much-loved premiership winning forward.

Luke Keary spoke beautifully on Fox Sports about his old mate.

“It’s devastating to be honest,” he said, “Devastating for the rugby league community, the South Sydney community, the Coonabarabran community, his family and his friends.

“There are not too many words to describe it. I will speak on Kyle as a man. He was a caring, gentle man.

“I got to play with him through under-20s, coming into first grade with him and won a premiership with him.

“He gave so much to the community. He gave so much to Indigenous community too. He was a special human.”

News of Turner’s passing spread throughout the game on Saturday with immediate shock and grief.

Sam Walker wearing a black arm band for Kyle Turner. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rabbitohs wore black arm bands. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty

He was a player who not only won a grand final but proudly represented the Indigenous All Stars on two occasions in 2015 and 2017 as well as Country Origin in 2017.

At North Sydney Oval, the Bears honoured Turner by wearing black armbands in their clash against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Bears CEO Gareth Holmes told this masthead the news of Turner’s death has ‘rocked’ the club.

“We’re deeply saddened by the news. He played here for a couple of seasons and in talking to a few of the past players, who played alongside him, it really rocked them,” Holmes said.

“It’s a sad time for his family.

“We really appreciate the time he spent at the Bears. He was really highly regarded at the club, it truly is a sad time.”

Turner played for the Bears in 2017 and 2018, when the NSW Cup outfit was the feeder side to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo was deeply saddened.

#1100 🐰 pic.twitter.com/I8etfC1Ly3

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) August 20, 2023

“We will always strive to find additional ways to help support each other and encourage everyone to speak up when they need help or when they see someone else needing help,” Abdo said.

Souths coach Jason Demetriou spoke about Turner’s death before the Knights game.

“There’s a large number of players feeling his loss,” Demetriou said.

“We want to remember him with our performance today and remember the fact he was a great teammate. He did everything he could for the team.

“I was fortunate to coach him for one year and really enjoyed spending time with him.

“We’re hopeful today we can put in a performance that gives his family something to smile about.”

It wasn’t to be.

The emotion was there but the performance wasn’t.

It was a long and sad ride home along the M1.

# The Rabbitohs will honour Turner at Accor Stadium in two weeks with a tribute before their final home game of the season against the Sydney Roosters.

Originally published as How NRL, South Sydney and North Sydney Bears honoured Kyle Turner